Rent to Home
Making The Difference means refunding up to 70% of your rent to fund your home deposit.
Turning rent into a deposit.
Saving for a deposit can be one of the biggest barriers to buying a first home. Rent to Home is an innovative initiative from The Cambridge that helps first-time buyers build a deposit while they rent.
When you rent a property through Rent to Home, up to 70% of the rent you pay can be returned to you to help fund your house deposit, providing a stepping stone from renting to homeownership. The scheme has already helped local people secure their first home and start the next chapter of their lives.
If you have any questions about Rent to home, or to register your interest for future properties, please email makingthedifference@cambridgebs.co.uk or give us a call on 0345 601 3344.
What is Rent to Home?
Rent to Home has been designed for people who can comfortably afford monthly rent payments but find it difficult to save for a deposit at the same time.
Successful applicants can rent one of The Cambridge's refurbished properties for between one and three years. If, during that period, they are ready to buy their own home and take out a mortgage with The Cambridge, up to 70% of the rent they have paid is returned to support their deposit.
It's a unique way to help aspiring homeowners move from renting into a home of their own.
Key benefits:
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Live in a refurbished rental property while building towards homeownership.
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Receive up to 70% of the rent you've paid back towards your deposit.
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Gain support from a lender that specialises in helping first-time buyers.
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Take a practical step towards buying your first home without needing to save a deposit while paying full market rent.
What is Rent to Home?
Rent to Home has been designed for people who can comfortably afford monthly rent payments but find it difficult to save for a deposit at the same time.
Successful applicants can rent one of The Cambridge's refurbished properties for between one and three years. If, during that period, they are ready to buy their own home and take out a mortgage with The Cambridge, up to 70% of the rent they have paid is returned to support their deposit.
It's a unique way to help aspiring homeowners move from renting into a home of their own.
Key benefits:
-
Live in a refurbished rental property while building towards homeownership.
-
Receive up to 70% of the rent you've paid back towards your deposit.
-
Gain support from a lender that specialises in helping first-time buyers.
-
Take a practical step towards buying your first home without needing to save a deposit while paying full market rent.
Who is Rent to Home for?
Rent to Home is designed for:
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First-time buyers.
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Individuals and families who can afford monthly rental payments.
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People who live, work, or have a close relative living within a 15-mile radius of our branch and store network
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People who want to buy a home in the future but are struggling to save a deposit.
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Those looking for a clear route from renting to owning.
Every application is carefully assessed against the eligibility criteria, and demand can be high when properties become available. Specific terms and conditions will apply for each property.
How to apply
When a Rent to Home property becomes available, applications open for a limited period.
Application process
- Register your interest to hear about future properties.
- Complete an application when opportunities become available.
- Applications are reviewed against the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.
- Successful applicants are selected by ballot and offered the opportunity to rent the property.
- Move in and start your journey towards homeownership.
Register your interest now so you can learn about upcoming opportunities:
Email: makingthedifference@cambridgebs.co.uk
Phone: 0345 601 3344
Hear how Rent to Home helped first time buyers Sophie and Jamie
Watch as Sophie and Jamie describe being "eternally grateful" to be randomly selected by ballot in 2023 as the tenants for The Cambridge’s Northstowe property — learning the news on Jamie’s birthday.
They've since reclaimed £24,570 of their rent to use as a deposit on their new home, which they recently moved into.
Watch how Rent to Home helped Muntasir realise his home ownership dream
After nearly three years renting a flat above one of our properties in Great Shelford, Dr Muntasir moved into his first home in December 2025.
Watch now to hear Muntasir’s story — and discover how innovative thinking is helping more people find a place to call home.
Why we created Rent to Home
At The Cambridge, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to own a home. We know that many people can afford monthly housing costs but struggle to save the significant deposit needed to buy.
Rent to Home was created to address that challenge by helping renters build a deposit while they rent, making homeownership more achievable for local people and families.
Applications may not always be open, but you can register your interest and be among the first to hear when new Rent to Home properties become available.
Email: makingthedifference@cambridgebs.co.uk
Phone: 0345 601 3344
Take the first step from renting to owning with Rent to Home.
How Rent to Home is helping more first time buyers
Read more about our recent Rent to Home stories, including how we've been named Best First-Time Buyer Mortgage Provider for a third consecutive year. 🏆
This win reflects our longstanding support for first-time buyers by finding new ways to help provide funding for people to buy their own homes – such as through our life changing Rent to Home scheme.
If you’d like to find out more about Rent to Home please email makingthedifference@cambridgebs.co.uk or call us on 0345 601 3344.